How short is a story?

I can't remember which American author it was, but they came up with a "story" in 6 words.

"For sale, baby shoes, never worn"

Yes, but what makes that a story?

A story needs a opening, a middle and an ending IMHO

Used to be something I used a lot when teaching English, particularly with able but prolific story tellers.

The "beginning, middle, end" bit works for straightforward story telling. But of course, the beginning can be the end too. "in my end is my beginning" and so on.

Phoenix I love that! The very nucleus of a story - tells it and leaves the reader wanting more.

Thanks Ariadne it does have a certain poignancy and always makes me "think" about the possible stories behind it.

Just darn well wish I could remember from whence it came!

Off to google........

Now, what a hornets nest that revealed, some say Hemmingway wrote it response to a bet, other sites are adamant the E.H had nothing to do with!

Worth a google if you have time.

For those on Twitter, these stories within 40 characters are worth following.
A recent example:

‏@VeryShortStory
Derek was trapped at the very edge of the cliff. The Russians drew their knives. He hesitated then leapt off, betting on reincarnation.

His stories have perverse humour, thought provoking commentary or just plain daftness.

Sometimes stories need no words at all - just a look or a touch.

Thanks for the recommend, notso - now one of the many thousands who follow.

Shortest one I ever read was:
'The last man in the world sat in his room and there was a knock on the door........'

I specialise in those without an ending

I like stories like that, Alie!

Wrote one once ending in a complete cliffhanger, but my sister read it and wanted it finished!
I tried to continue but it just didn't work......

Leave it to the imagination, I say

Here's one from the website I was talking about by catswhiskers:

Afterwards, he hadn’t felt guilty. “Not like she wasn’t willing”, Raoul laughed to himself, creeping away in the shadows.
Her folks hated him but someone had left a small, high window open and he’d scrambled up precariously. She had given him all the right signals so he accommodated her.
He silently dashed the last few yards to safety.

Vera Goodholme entered the locked room. “That nasty tom’s gone now”. She said, sitting down smugly.
Princess jumped onto her lap purring contentedly.

I like it because in such a short space it still unfolds. You only get the full picture at the end.

I love it!

www.txtlit.co.uk/

If you fancy texting a short story, (max 154 characters, including spaces and punctuation), you could try this website - there's a chance to win £50. But do read the small print - it costs money to enter!

www.81words.net doesn't seem to cost anything to submit a story but there is a chance of making some money although, to my mind, the enjoyment is in creating something and then having it read and rated by other users.